Introduction

This article analyzes the current international standards for the protection of intellectual property rights by the use of international investment agreements, particularly bilateral investment treaties. The article begins with a brief history of international efforts at intellectual property protection. It then examines Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ("TRIPS") (the most recent effort at establishing an international intellectual property protection scheme) and BITs (which add a layer of protection on top of TRIPS). Next, the article evaluates the continued ...